Foxes fall to Conway

The Hartsville Red Foxes made the trip to Conway this past Friday to face the Conway Tigers and returned home with their first loss, falling 35-21. This dropped their record to 3-1 while Conway moved to 4-0.

The game began as though it would be a defensive battle as both teams forced the other to punt or turn the ball over on downs for most of the first quarter. Late in the quarter Conway began to mount a drive that ended with a 41 yard TD pass. The PAT made the score 7-0 with 1:07 remaining in the quarter. The Foxes then got sloppy and penalties forced them to punt from their 16 yard line as the second quarter started. The Tigers began to click on offense and scored through the air again to take a 14-0 lead with 9:56 left before halftime.

Hartsville started to mount a drive into Conway territory, but failed to convert a 4th and 1 play at the Tigers’ 36 yard line. Conway immediately moved down the field and scored on a 4 yard run with 5:04 left before halftime.

Trailing 21-0, the Foxes quickly struck back and got on the scoreboard with a 71 yard TD pass from A.J. Joyner to Tiyon Evans. The PAT was wide right leaving the score 21-6 with 4:37 remaining before the half. On Conway’s next possession J.D. Pendergrass intercepted a pass and returned it to the Tigers’ 15 yard line. On the first play Tiyon Evans ran it in and Mike Norris converted the extra point. Suddenly it was a 21-13 game as the half ended.

The first Hartsville possession of the second half resulted in a punt, but the Foxes defense forced a 3 and out. The Conway punt was downed on the 2 yard line, forcing the Foxes to drive 98 yards to reach pay dirt. With the offense looking the best it had all night the 98 yard drive ended with a 22 yard Evans run making it 21-19. The 2 point attempt was good and the Foxes tied the score with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

Unfortunately that would end the scoring for Hartsville as penalties and turnovers kept them off the board.

Conway scored next on a 2 yard run after a penalty-aided drive. The PAT made it 28-21. Both teams had a little success moving the ball for the next few drives until Conway added another score with 10:32 left in the game making the final score 35-21.

The Bizzell’s Offensive Player of the Game was QB A.J. Joyner who did a good job passing as well as running the ball on scramble plays.

The Bizzell’s Defensive Player of the Game was Montrez Williams with good play from his linebacker position.

Next week the Foxes return home to face the Bulldogs of Marlboro County at 7;30 p.m. Go out and support the team. See you next week.